Category: Who We Are

The Somerville is a space for children and young people to play and learn freely and to develop responsibility for themselves and their actions. We offer a variety of high quality, stimulating and challenging informal educational activities. Through these we encourage children and young people to become competent, confident, independent and cooperative individuals and steer them away from crime and antisocial behaviour. Overcoming barriers, learning new skills and promoting positive relationships with peers, parents and carers are at the heart Read More …

The Somerville was founded by local community worker Ron Martin in 1971. He believed that adventure playgrounds were a much-needed resource for children growing up in inner cities and worked tirelessly throughout his life to make the site accessible to kids. Ron was a volunteer at a play scheme run from St Catherine’s Church on Telegraph Hill. Along with his fellow play scheme committee members he applied to Lewisham Council for the use of a piece of derelict wasteland on Read More …